Corrupt officials to face the music

SUDDENLY, it seems, our country is in a mad dash to heed the call for more accountability in government, coming, as it does, after years of impunity by reckless and corrupt officials.

Parliament, oddly, has emerged lately as the forum for this sea change in attitude, notably delivering comeuppance to the crony leadership at state utility Eskom and its equally abysmal peers who presided over state broadcaster SABC.

We say oddly because it has been the National Assembly, under the command of Jacob Zuma’s automatons in the ANC, where the concept of accountability has slipped to a perilous standard, especially when it has concerned Zuma himself.

Perhaps it is more than mere coincidence that this newfound moral commitment has sprouted at a time when Zuma’s absolute control has begun to wilt.

Either way, the nation needs to seize the moment.

Last week auditor-general Kimi Makwetu submitted proposed amendments to the Public Audit Act which, if legislated, would see errant officials face up to the music.

As Makwetu has argued, there are insufficient consequences for those found with their fingers in the cookie jar.

You have to feel for the man. Year after year, his department exposes staggering rot within the state and yet those behind the plunder escape with a slap on the wrist, if that.

It must be exhausting for a professional like Makwetu to see his efforts routinely snubbed.

The standing committee on the auditor-general has received his recommendations and reportedly given them a preliminary thumbs-up.

Key to the amendments are proposals to establish structured reporting channels with law enforcement agencies to ensure the AG’s audits can be referred for criminal investigation.

The playing fields are levelling at last.

Game on, as they say.